FOOD and the festive season go hand-in-hand – with so many delicious options lying around, it is easy to forget about body goals!

Halfway through January, the holiday binge begins to show effects and the New Year’s resolutions kick in. You search for inspiration to get into the best shape. If this is you, then here are five worthwhile dieting options to try!

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1. Low GI diet
Studies have shown that food with a low Glycemic Index (GI) can result in weight loss, reduced blood sugar levels, and also lower the risk of heart disease and Type 2 diabetes. These foods are high in fibre and, therefore, slowly digested and absorbed; causing a slower and smaller rise in blood sugar levels.

2. Low calorie diet
The low-carb, whole-food diet is perfect for people who need to lose weight, optimise health, and lower risk of diseases. This diet is flexible, allowing you to tweak your carb intake according to your goals. It is high in vegetables, meat, fish, eggs, fruits, nuts, and fats but low in starches, sugars, and processed foods.

3. Low fat diet
Like the low-carb diet, this diet has been popular for decades. It restricts your fat intake to 30% of your daily calories. One way to achieve this is by avoiding cooking oil and frying. Try boiling, steaming, baking or roasting your food instead. You may also remove chicken skin and cut out the fat in red meat.

4. Mediterranean diet
The Mediterranean diet is brilliant and thoroughly studied. It is particularly effective for heart disease prevention. The diet includes plenty of vegetables, fruits, fish, poultry, whole grains, legumes, dairy products, and extra virgin olive oil.

5. Vegan diet
This diet relies solely on plant-based foods and eliminates all animal products. The vegan diet has become increasingly popular in the past decade and offers several health benefits, including weight loss, improved heart health, and better blood sugar control.

While all the above diets are effective, visit your nearest dietician to help you design a bespoke solution.

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